Package for carbonated beverage

ABSTRACT

A package ( 1 ) with carbonated beverage wherein the package is at least substantially manufactured from film material and is closed by at least one sealed joint ( 7, 12 ) and/or glued joint.

This invention relates to a package with carbonated beverage.

Carbonated beverage such as beer is usually offered in casks, glass or plastic bottles or kegs which may or may not be of the Bag-In-Container (BIC) type.

Casks, glass and plastic bottles and containers that are not of the BIC-type constitute a substantially rigid package with a well-defined outflow opening. In the case of bottles, this is a pour opening, closed by a screw cap or crown cap. In the case of casks, this is a valve assembly which can be connected to a specific tapping device. With the containers mentioned, this is for instance an integrated draw-off tap, through which the beverage can flow out under the influence of gravity. With BIC-type packages, the beverage is included in a flexible bag which is included in a rigid outer package such as a small metal or plastic keg. In that case too, as with a cask, a valve assembly is provided which can cooperate with a special tapping device tailored thereto. The flexible bag is compressed, so that beverage can flow out via the valve assembly.

At a bottling plant, these packages are supplied while empty, so that in unfilled condition they take up much volume. Moreover, after they have been emptied, they still have substantially the original shape and hence take up a large volume even then. Moreover, such packages are relatively costly.

The object of the invention is to provide a package for carbonated beverage, as an alternative to the known, above-described packages.

In one embodiment according to the invention, a package with carbonated beverage is characterized by the features according to claim 1.

By packaging carbonated beverage in a substantially flexible package, manufactured from film material and closed by sealing and/or gluing, a package is presented that is simple to manufacture and prior to filling and after emptying takes up particularly little volume. Surprisingly, it has been found that with carbonated beverage, such as beer of the lager type, sealed joints and/or glued joints are particularly advantageous, also when the film package is not surrounded by a rigid outer package such as a BIC-type package.

In a second embodiment, in a package according to the invention, beer of the lager type, also known as “blond beer” is packaged, with a CO₂ content of less than 0.44 weight % at equilibrium pressure.

Beer of the lager type is customarily packaged with a CO₂ content of about 0.44-0.5 weight % at 1 bar and 20° C. resulting in 1.7 bar excess pressure at 20° C. (2.7 bar absolute) or 1 bar excess pressure at 10.7° C. (2 bar absolute) or 0.7 bar excess pressure at 5° C. (1.7 bar absolute). It has always been assumed that such a CO₂ content is necessary for lager-type beer to guarantee the taste. This holds for the known types of packages. It has presently been found that for the taste of the beer a lower CO₂ content can suffice. This provides the advantage that the pressure in the package will be lower, so that sealing problems can be avoided relatively simply. Consequently, in particular, sealed joints and/or glued joints are easier to use and guarantee. A further advantage is that film material can be used having a relatively low barrier against CO₂ and/or air transmission, so that less costly films come within reach for use in a package according to the invention. According to this embodiment of the invention the beer preferably has a CO₂ content of less than 0.4 weight %, preferably between 0.25 and 0.4 weight %, for example approximately 0.3 weight % at equilibrium.

In a further embodiment a package according to the present invention comprises a different carbonated beverage, especially a soft drink, such as cola. Preferably the CO₂ content of this beverage is lower than normally used in such soft drinks. For cola drinks the normal CO₂ content is higher than 0.6 weight. At 6° C. this gives an excess pressure of approximately 1.4 bar and at 4 degrees approximately 1.2 bar excess pressure relative to the surroundings. In a package according to this embodiment the CO₂ content is preferably lower, for example more than 2% lower, preferably more than 5% lower.

In a package according to the invention a gas filled headspace can be used for example filled with a non-oxidating gas, such as CO₂ or N₂, depending on the beverage.

Surprisingly this relatively low pressure can be advantageous for a new tasting experience and easier packaging.

The invention further relates to a method for packaging carbonated beverage such as beer, in particular beer of the lager type.

By such a method, beverage can be packaged economically.

The invention furthermore relates to a method for consuming carbonated beverage, wherein the beverage is packaged in a sealed plastic package and is displaced therefrom by compression of the package after it has been pierced or torn open.

Such a package renders opening easy without requiring particular devices or tools, although it is evidently possible to use devices and/or tools for that purpose. The user is offered a choice.

In the dependent claims, advantageous embodiments of the invention are described.

To clarify the invention, exemplary embodiments thereof will be further elucidated with reference to the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows in front- and side-elevational view a package according to the invention in a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows in front elevational view in closed and opened position respectively, a package according to the invention in a second embodiment;

FIG. 2A shows the package of FIG. 2 in side elevational view;

FIG. 3 shows in partial cross-sectional side-elevational view a package according to the invention in a tapping device; and

FIG. 4 shows a package being emptied directly into a mouth.

In the figures, only exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown, by way of illustration. These should not in any way be construed as limiting. Many variations thereon are possible within the framework of the invention outlined by the claims. In this description, the same or corresponding parts have the same or corresponding reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows a package 1 according to the invention, filled with a carbonated beverage such as beer of the lager type. This package 1 is substantially built up from film 2 out of which a front wall 3 and a rear wall 4 have been formed. In this embodiment, the front wall 3 and the rear wall 4 are folded from a sheet of film and mutually connected by a fold line 5, so that they extend approximately parallel to each other. Along two lateral sides 6 extending from the fold line 5, the front wall 3 and the rear wall 4 are mutually connected by a sealed seam 7, for instance a hot seal. After beverage 8, in this case beer, which is visible in the side view where a part of the back wall 4 has been broken away, introduced into the space 9, the upper sides 10, 11 of the front wall 3 and the rear wall 4, remote from the fold line 5, are mutually connected by a further sealed seam 12, so that the space 9 is closed liquid-tightly and gas-tightly on all sides and the beer is confined. The beverage can be packaged. However, providing a head space can dampen pressure changes due to for example temperature changes such that the absolute pressure change is reduced relative to a given temperature change compared to a package filled without a head space.

In this embodiment, no pour opening is provided, specifically not one that is closed by e.g. a cap, cork, crown cap, valve or the like. For opening the package 1, for instance a wall 3, 4 can be pierced with a needle or other sharp object, or a sealed seam 7, 12 can be torn open, after which the beer can be pressed out of the package by squeezing it, rolling it up or otherwise reducing the space 9.

Preferably one end is closed, by a seal 12, which in this embodiment has a height H in a longitudinal direction L of the package 1, and extends over the full width of the container. The inner space 9 of said container is completely filled with said beverage such as beer, without a head space or free oxygen. The said seal 12 has a first portion A which is positioned for example near a middle section seen in the width direction and adjacent said inner space 9. The first portion A is surrounded by a second portion B, here U-shaped, such that it surrounds said first portion A at three sides. The first and second portion are both seal portions and are therefore fluid and gas tight. A tear line C extends across said seal 12 in the width direction, approximately half way of said height H or at least such that it extends across or adjacent the first portion A. This means that when the seal is torn or cut or otherwise severed along said tear line, said first portion becomes exposed to the outside of the container. Squeezing the container 1 after removing the part of the seal 12 above the tear line C will then force the beverage against the first portion A which shall then burst, allowing the beverage to be forced out.

A container 1 according to the present invention can be substantially pouch shaped. A container can also be made of flexible material, especially foil 2. Preferably the foil 2 is multi layered and contains at least one metal layer, preferably light metal such as aluminum, covered on at least one side by a plastic layer, but it may also be made of other materials. The container may have a longitudinal direction L with a length L₁, and a width direction with a width W, perpendicular to said length. Prints P, such as text, drawings, logo's, branding and the like can be provided on the relatively large surface of the package.

The beverage in the package is preferably beer of the lager type or blond beer, with a CO₂ content that is lower than is customary. In particular, it is beer having a CO₂ content of less than 0.44 weight %, for instance less than 0.4 weight %. Of advantage is beer of the lager type having a CO₂ content of approximately 0.3 weight % measured at 1 bar excess pressure and 10.7° C. In this way, the taste of the beer was found to be preserved while the pressure in the package could be advantageously lowered. Such a lower pressure provides the advantage that as a result, contrary to expectation, the beer can be packaged in a pouch-shaped package from film with sealed and/or glued seams without entailing an unacceptable risk of the package tearing at the seams unintendedly. A lower CO₂ content gives a lower pressure in the package at the same temperature.

The lower CO₂ content does not have a detrimental effect on the taste of the beer or other beverage when squirted directly into a glass or into the mouth of a consumer. When the beverage is pressed into the mouth directly from the package a new tasting experience is provided. The mouth is filled with the beverage, resulting in palpitation throughout the mouth, and foaming. It has shown that this is taste enhancing.

Alternatively the beverage can be a different beverage such as a soft drink, for example a cola drink, fruit drink, carbonated water or the like. Here also the CO₂ content is preferably lower than normally used, such as lower than 0.6 weight % for a cola drink, preferably between 0.3 and 0.6 weight %, especially slightly lower than 0.6 weight %, for example between 0.4 and 0.59 weight % at packaging.

The package may be relatively small or as large as several servings.

Other packages could also be used for such low CO₂ content beverages.

A container according to the present invention can for example have a content of between 3 and 10 cl, for direct consumption by forcing the beverage, especially lager type beer directly into the mouth of a consumer, or more, for example between 10 and 40 cl, for discharging the beverage into a glass. Obviously, these are only examples. Other amounts of beverages may be enclosed within such container.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a package 1 where a film sheet has been folded into a tube and two opposite longitudinal edges 6A, 6B of the film sheet have been secured to each other using a first sealed seam 7A. Further, a first end of the package (at the bottom in the drawing) has been closed by a second sealed seam 7B. Beer has been introduced into the inner space 9 and thereupon the second end opposite the first end (at the top in FIG. 2) has been closed by a third sealed seam 12. As a result, a closed package filled with beer has been obtained. Again, for opening the package, it can be pierced or torn open or cut open, for which purpose, for instance, a tear provision such as a small notch 13 may be provided and/or, for instance, a user's teeth may be used. The third seal 12 has been shown similar to that of FIG. 1.

Preferably again, similar to FIG. 1 the package is squeezed from the sides 6 in the direction D, forcing the beverage 8 through the seal part A after tearing away part B of said seal, as is shown in FIG. 2, right hand side.

A package according to FIG. 2 can for instance be manufactured in a continuous process, whereby a long film sheet is first sealed in a tubular form, having a total length many times greater than the length L₁ of an individual package, after which in each case a first seal 7B of a subject package is manufactured simultaneously with a second seal 12 of a next package, as one integral sealed seam which can then be cut, wholly or partly, for forming said first and second seal, as is schematically shown in FIG. 2A, left hand side.

Evidently, a package 1 according to the invention can also be manufactured in a different manner, for instance by extruding a tube and then filling it with beer or other carbonated beverage, and providing it in each case with suitable seals 7, 12 at a desired package length L₁.

FIG. 3 shows in partial cross section a package 1 according to the invention in a tapping device 15. This tapping device is represented only schematically and comprises a chamber 16 with an insertion opening 17 at an upper side with a lid 25. Extending upwards through a bottom wall 18 of the chamber 16 is a hollow needle 19, ending in a sharp tip 20. The opposite end 21 of the needle 19 extends outside the chamber 16 and offers room for holding a glass 22 under it. A user can introduce a package 1 from the insertion opening 17 into the chamber 16. Next, a pressure element 23 can be pressed onto the package in the direction P, for example via the insertion opening 17 or from a side as shown in FIG. 3, so that the package 1 is pressed on the needle 19 and a wall thereof is pierced by the sharp tip 20. Upon subsequent further pressing of the pressure element 23, the package is compressed entirely and the beverage is pressed via the hollow needle 19 into the glass 22. The package 1 then emptied completely can be taken out via the insertion opening 17 and be discarded. Owing to the small volume, this is easily possible. Evidently, a tapping device according to the invention can also be built up or operated in an entirely different manner, for instance by pressing the walls of the chamber towards each other, so that the package is thereby compressed. Also, other mechanical means may be provided for that purpose. Also, it is possible that the hollow needle 19 is connected with the pressure element 23 and upon placement thereof is pressed through the wall of the package 1.

FIG. 4 shows a package 1 in a hand 26, which hand 26 squeezes the package 1, emptying it into a mouth 27 directly. In such a way the package 1 can be emptied in one go directly into the mouth for consumption, resulting in said new tasting experience, different from drinking said beverage from a glass, pitcher or bottle.

In a sealed seam 7, 7A, 12 of a package 1 according to the invention, an element such as a stiffening element may be included, for instance an element on which the package can be stood or by which the package can be secured in a device. Also, such an element may be provided as an element through which a needle of a device can be inserted. This could prevent the needle passing the package entirely. Also, piercing can thereby be simplified. Possibly, such an element could comprise a closable opening, but it is preferred that such an opening is not provided since in that way an economically more attractive package can be obtained.

In this description, ‘seal’ should be understood to mean at least a connection formed by partial fusion of parts to be joined. ‘Gluing’ should be understood to mean at least connection by the use of an adhesive, for instance a hot or cold seal.

The invention is not limited in any way to the exemplary embodiments shown in the description and drawing. Many variations thereon are possible within the framework of the invention outlined by the claims. Also understood to be incorporated herein are, in particular, combinations of parts of the different embodiments shown and embodiments where parts of the embodiments shown have been omitted or designed differently. 

1. A package with carbonated beverage wherein the package is at least substantially manufactured from film material and is closed by at least one sealed joint and/or glued joint.
 2. A package according to claim 1, wherein the package is at least substantially manufactured from plastic film, while joints have been formed by sealing and/or gluing.
 3. A package according to claim 1, wherein the beverage is beer of the lager type, wherein the beer in the package has a CO₂ content of less than 0.44 weight %, more particularly less than 0.40 weight %.
 4. A package according to claim 3, wherein the beer has a CO₂ content of approximately 0.3 weight %.
 5. A package provided with lager-type beer, preferably according to claim 1, wherein the beer contains less than 0.44 weight % of CO₂.
 6. A package according to claim 5, wherein the beer comprises less than 0.4 weight % of CO₂.
 7. A package according to claim 5, wherein the beer comprises approximately 0.3 weight % of CO₂.
 8. A package according to claim 1, wherein the package is a flexible package, in particular a film package.
 9. A package according to claim 1, wherein the package is substantially formed from film material, while at least one seam has been formed by sealing and/or gluing.
 10. A package according to claim 1, wherein the package is closed on all sides, without dispense opening.
 11. A package according to claim 1, wherein at least one tearing provision is provided.
 12. A package according to claim 1, wherein a head space is provided for reducing pressure changes.
 13. A method for packaging carbonated beverage, in particular beer, wherein the beverage is included in a plastic package, which package is closed by sealing and/or gluing after the beverage has been included therein.
 14. A method for consuming carbonated beverage, in particular beer, wherein the beverage is packaged in a sealed plastic package and is displaced from the package after perforation or tearing of the package.
 15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the beverage is displaced from the package by compression of the package.
 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the beverage is displaced by compressing the package in a tapping device.
 17. A package according to claim 2, wherein the beverage is beer of the lager type, wherein the beer in the package has a CO₂ content of less than 0.44 weight %, more particularly less than 0.40 weight %.
 18. A package according to claim 6, wherein the beer comprises approximately 0.3 weight % of CO₂.
 19. A package according to claim 5, wherein the package is a flexible package, in particular a film package.
 20. A package according to claim 5, wherein the package is substantially formed from film material, while at least one seam has been formed by sealing and/or gluing.
 21. A package according to claim 5, wherein the package is closed on all sides, without dispense opening.
 22. A package according to claim 5, wherein at least one tearing provision is provided.
 23. A package according to claim 5, wherein a head space is provided for reducing pressure changes. 